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The Wine Cellar: Fine and Fair Weather Wines
By Gabriel Garcia
With chillier days behind us once again, the most colorful and vibrant time of year has arrived, warming our bodies and minds with the many simple pleasures of the season. Sun kissed blood oranges, Meyer lemons, key limes and grapefruits come to mind, along with garden grown basil, cilantro, rosemary and sage. And best of all, with these fresh ingredients come endless possibilities for lively cuisine and fine wines that pay homage to the bounty of spring.
Herb sesame scallops served with orange and fennel salad are a welcome nod to sand and surf, particularly when preceded by Santi Nello Prosecco Valdobbiadene ($15.00/btl.). Grown primarily in the eastern part of Italy’s Veneto region, Prosecco is a white wine grape that is made into a slightly sparkling (frizzante) or fully sparkling (spumante) wine. A delicate bouquet of golden delicious apples and Acacia flowers nuanced with flavors of apricot and citrus make it a perfect starter for a memorable meal. Moving on from the bubbly, Mendoza Station Torrontés 2009 ($7.00/btl.) is an ideal match for this fresh seafood dish. A favorite in Argentina, this crisp, aromatic white hits the nose and palate with the essence of flowers and subtle spices. For a wine with a little more body and structure that’s not quite a red wine, Rosé is a perfect accommodation. Rosé wines are very popular in the south of France around the spring and summer seasons for their refreshing qualities. Lively and fragrant, Domaine Fontanyl Rosé de Provence 2009 ($13.00/btl.) is a beautiful Rosé from Provence replete with inviting aromas of ripe berries and purple flowers. Flavors of ripe strawberry and wild cherry are showcased in a complex manner that retains the character of the fruit, but in a dry, straight-forward style.
Agave grilled chicken with citrus mint salsa beckons something light but flavorful, simple yet complex. With this delightful dish, do pair the Kim Krawford Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2010 ($18.00/btl.) from Marlborough, New Zealand, where many would argue that the best Sauvignon Blanc is made in the world. A delight for all the senses, aromas of lime zest, grapefruit, mint, lemon grass and jalapeño are backed with flavors of tart pineapple and gooseberries with a slight mineral finish. Thinking outside the box, or bottle as it were, the Mer Soleil Chardonnay Silver 2009 ($25.00/btl.) from Santa Lucia Highlands in the central coast of California is another excellent option. What’s unique about this Chardonnay is that it does not see any oak in the wine making process. Rather, the wine is fermented in cement tanks, allowing for the fullest expression of the grape without oak influence. Aromas of honeydew melon, green apple and steely minerals enchant while its medium body and rich texture reflect impeccable balance.
When the occasion calls for innovative home-cooking, roasted Peking duck with mandarin pancakes and plum sauce calls for Pinot Noir. A classic pairing with incarnations of duck, Tarras Estate Pinot Noir 2009 ($32.00/btl.) delivers silky tannins and notes of berry, cherry, and raspberry fruit. Roasted rack of lamb with tomato and black olive tapenade and rosemary scented polenta is captivating alone, but when paired with Cave de Tain St. Joseph 2006 ($25.00/btl.) it nears perfection. Juicy is an adept description of this Syrah, with black cherry and cassis notes layered with hints of black forest cake, briar and sweet tobacco. This wine originates from the Northern Rhone Valley of France where Syrah is king.
Why it is that in warmer weather our spirits seem to soar a little higher we may never know, but the feeling is undeniably invigorating. In this time of year and all others, enjoy the wine and food, live well and be happy.
Gabriel Garcia is a certified Sommelier with the Court of Master Sommeliers and works at Stripsteak by Michael Mina at Mandalay Bay. He can be reached at ovationman@hotmail.com
